Fern5827
October 20th 03, 10:05 PM
Press Release Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Praises Bill to Assist Kinship Caregivers in
Foster Care System
Thursday October 16, 4:34 pm ET
HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- At a ceremonial bill signing today
praising kinship caregivers for their positive impact on the lives of children,
Governor Edward G. Rendell showed his continuing commitment to the children of
Pennsylvania.
"Kinship caregivers provide safe and nurturing homes that provide a wide range
of benefits for our children," said Governor Rendell. "Kinship care preserves
family connections by placing children in a familiar setting, around people who
have a better understanding of their physical and emotional needs. And for
children who cannot be reunited with their families, it expeditiously provides
them with permanency -- creating less disruption in their lives.
"This legislation lets Pennsylvania's kinship caregivers know that we value the
positive impact that they are making in the lives of our children."
The Kinship Care Program mandates that a child placed in foster care should be
placed in the care of a relative if possible and, if placement with a relative
is not possible, the county must document why such placement was not possible.
The new law, which is effective in six months, also ensures that children under
the care of kin other than their parents are provided the same benefits as
children cared for by foster parents.
Governor Rendell, joined by Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman, and Lance
Simmens, Executive Director of the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Families,
conducted a ceremonial signing of the legislation, House Bill 297, at the
Neighborhood Center in Harrisburg. The legislation, sponsored by state Rep.
Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia), was signed into law by Governor Rendell on
Sept. 30.
For children in the foster care system, the bill:
-- Requires that caseworkers must consider family members first when
trying to place a child into a home.
-- Ensures that a kin caring for a child will be paid the same amount
as any other foster parent.
-- Ensures that payments to a kin providing care would not be taken
into consideration when evaluating eligibility for other social
services.
Governor Rendell said the legislation supports the federal Adoption and Safe
Families Act, which requires that "fit and willing" relatives receive first
consideration when placing children. Today, about 4,000 Pennsylvania children -
or 20 percent of all children in foster care - live with relatives.
CONTACT: Kate Philips of the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,
+1-717-783-1116.
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Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
http://www.suecps.com
See also NG alt support child protective services
DESCRIPTORS; CPS, CHILD PROTECTIVE, ASFA, KINSHIP CARE, ADOPTION, FOSTER CARE,
FAMILY LAW, CYS, CYF, DHS
Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Praises Bill to Assist Kinship Caregivers in
Foster Care System
Thursday October 16, 4:34 pm ET
HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- At a ceremonial bill signing today
praising kinship caregivers for their positive impact on the lives of children,
Governor Edward G. Rendell showed his continuing commitment to the children of
Pennsylvania.
"Kinship caregivers provide safe and nurturing homes that provide a wide range
of benefits for our children," said Governor Rendell. "Kinship care preserves
family connections by placing children in a familiar setting, around people who
have a better understanding of their physical and emotional needs. And for
children who cannot be reunited with their families, it expeditiously provides
them with permanency -- creating less disruption in their lives.
"This legislation lets Pennsylvania's kinship caregivers know that we value the
positive impact that they are making in the lives of our children."
The Kinship Care Program mandates that a child placed in foster care should be
placed in the care of a relative if possible and, if placement with a relative
is not possible, the county must document why such placement was not possible.
The new law, which is effective in six months, also ensures that children under
the care of kin other than their parents are provided the same benefits as
children cared for by foster parents.
Governor Rendell, joined by Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman, and Lance
Simmens, Executive Director of the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Families,
conducted a ceremonial signing of the legislation, House Bill 297, at the
Neighborhood Center in Harrisburg. The legislation, sponsored by state Rep.
Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia), was signed into law by Governor Rendell on
Sept. 30.
For children in the foster care system, the bill:
-- Requires that caseworkers must consider family members first when
trying to place a child into a home.
-- Ensures that a kin caring for a child will be paid the same amount
as any other foster parent.
-- Ensures that payments to a kin providing care would not be taken
into consideration when evaluating eligibility for other social
services.
Governor Rendell said the legislation supports the federal Adoption and Safe
Families Act, which requires that "fit and willing" relatives receive first
consideration when placing children. Today, about 4,000 Pennsylvania children -
or 20 percent of all children in foster care - live with relatives.
CONTACT: Kate Philips of the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,
+1-717-783-1116.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
http://www.suecps.com
See also NG alt support child protective services
DESCRIPTORS; CPS, CHILD PROTECTIVE, ASFA, KINSHIP CARE, ADOPTION, FOSTER CARE,
FAMILY LAW, CYS, CYF, DHS